Councilwoman Paula Danchuk, who was elected to her first three-year term on the council in November 2011, filed a petition to run for the position currently held by Ondish, who is seeking his fourth, four-year term as mayor, the newspaper reported.

Danchuk had recently accused Ondish's administration of creating a "hostile culture," alleging she was "bullied" by fellow officials for taking her concerns about closed meetings to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, NJ.com previously reported.

Mount Arlington Councilwoman Paula Danchuck

But, Ondish told NJ.com Danchuk has been wrong to use the term "bullying" in characterizing a dispute over what he said was "just dirty laundry" — a debate over whether certain topics should have been discussed during normal council meetings the public can attend, or in executive sessions behind closed doors. New Jersey law only allows certain sensitive topics, such as personnel issues or litigation, to be discussed in such private meetings.

Ultimately, the prosecutor's office sent Mount Arlington officials a note warning them to keep discussions about other topics to public sessions.

Republican Councilmembers Stephen Sadow and Michael Stanzilis also submitted petitions seeking three more years apiece on the council, and will face primary challenges in June from Andrew Danchuk and Nancy Absalon, Roxbury Register News reported.